Larvesta shook its head. It could not explain what was happening either, but the red glow on its body was becoming more and more intense, to the point that even the surrounding air seemed to heat up.
"Izabe Island is just ahead!"
With his sharp eyesight, Theo spotted the outline of a snow-covered mountain appearing on the distant horizon. He immediately called out to Milotic and Metagross:
"Speed up!"
During the journey, Theo had already recalled the two Vulpix and Deino into their Poké Balls, leaving only Larvesta riding on Metagross.
At this moment, the red glow on the little guy's body was growing deeper and deeper, and Metagross had to use its psychic power to keep it floating steadily on its back.
Fortunately, the destination was not far. About ten minutes later, the rocky coastline of Izabe Island came into view.
Milotic controlled the water to lift Theo into the air, gently setting him down on a seaside cliff. Metagross followed closely behind, using its psychic power to carry Larvesta and land beside him.
The moment they touched down, Larvesta could no longer hold on.
Its entire body began to tremble violently, and the red light on it flared like blazing flames, erupting into a dazzling brilliance.
Within that crimson glow, Larvesta struggled to open its mouth and spat out strands of scorching red silk. These threads intertwined and wrapped around its body, quickly encasing it completely.
"Lar… Laaar…"
At the very last moment, Larvesta let out two weak cries, its tiny claws feebly tugging at Theo's pant leg.
Metagross translated its meaning for him:
"I… I'm so tired… I want to sleep…"
Soon after, Larvesta was entirely covered by the red silk, forming a cocoon about the size of a football.
The surface of the cocoon pulsed with red light like a beating heart, and each pulse radiated intense heat.
"Larvesta!"
Theo rushed forward, but the scorching temperature from the cocoon's surface forced him to pull his hand back instantly.
Was Larvesta evolving?
Without time to think further, Theo immediately took out advanced-grade energy orbs from his system storage.
After the competition yesterday, he had used all his popularity points for advanced-level draws, so his resource reserves were now extremely abundant.
Carefully, Theo pressed the energy orbs against the surface of the red cocoon.
One after another, the orbs melted into streams of warmth upon contact and flowed into the cocoon. The red glow on its surface gradually softened, and the pulsing slowed down.
Eventually, after absorbing enough energy, the cocoon began to reject further input. The once rhythmic pulsing ceased entirely, and the glow dimmed into a dark red as it stood silently, completely still.
"Larvesta?"
Theo called out tentatively, but there was no response.
The other Pokémon all popped out of their Poké Balls and gathered around the cocoon anxiously. Milotic furrowed its brows and used Life Dew, attempting to heal Larvesta.
However, the Life Dew was not absorbed. It simply flowed around the cocoon like ordinary water and had no effect at all.
Metagross continuously scanned the cocoon with its psychic power. After a moment, it shook its head at Theo, its eyes filled with worry.
It could sense that there was still life inside the cocoon, but it was extremely faint, as if the creature within had fallen into a deep sleep.
Theo forced himself to calm down, his mind racing.
Back when he had captured Larvesta in Lavaridge Town, Professor Birch had already examined it and sent him the League's data on Larvesta.
Later, after cooperating with the Unova League following Cynthia's visit, he had also received updated records from Unova.
But all of that information stated the same thing: once Larvesta accumulated enough energy, it would directly emit evolutionary light and evolve into Volcarona, just like any other Pokémon. There were no special conditions mentioned.
So why had his Larvesta turned into a cocoon?
"Could it be… the influence of the stone with Groudon's mark?"
Theo recalled that Larvesta had been carrying that marked stone since it was young. Could that have altered its evolutionary path?
No… that did not feel quite right… wait!
Suddenly, Theo remembered the video of Larvesta's mother evolving.
That evolution had also differed from the standard records. It had not evolved directly like a normal Larvesta.
In the video, its mother evolved during a volcanic eruption, and at the time, Victini had been present, helping to transfer energy.
If that was the case, then his advanced level energy orbs might be equivalent to Victini's energy transfer… but what about the volcanic eruption?
"If that's true…"
Theo muttered to himself,
"The system's energy orbs can replace Victini's energy… so does that mean I'm still missing the volcanic eruption condition?"
The moment he finished speaking, the previously motionless cocoon trembled slightly, as if responding to his words.
Seeing this reaction, Theo felt a small wave of relief. The most urgent task now was to confirm Larvesta's condition.
Without hesitation, he took out the Mega Stone.
"Metagross, Mega Evolve!"
"Meta!"
A brilliant light burst forth as Metagross's form reshaped within it, transforming once again into Mega Metagross.
After Mega Evolution, its psychic power surged exponentially, even distorting the surrounding air with invisible force.
The blue cross on its forehead glowed intensely, radiating a deep and mysterious light.
"Metagross, try using your psychic power again. See if you can sense Larvesta and communicate with it."
Theo spoke in a low voice.
Mega Metagross nodded and closed its eyes. The glow of the cross mark intensified.
A tangible thread of blue psychic energy extended outward like a living entity, cautiously reaching toward the cocoon.
Theo held his breath, staring intently.
Milotic, the two Vulpix, and Deino all watched nervously, waiting for the result.
After about half a minute, Mega Metagross opened its eyes, a hint of relief appearing on its face. It withdrew its psychic thread and nodded at Theo, conveying its findings.
It could sense that Larvesta's consciousness was still present, but it was extremely exhausted, as if in a deep slumber. At the same time, it faintly conveyed a strong desire for fire.
"It's fine… it's fine…"
Theo finally relaxed, the cold sweat on his forehead drying under the sea breeze, leaving behind a faint chill.
But he knew this was only temporary reassurance. Larvesta's condition was clearly abnormal, and he could not be sure if his guess was correct. He needed to find a solution as soon as possible.
When it came to specialized problems, he needed a specialist.
Theo quickly took out his phone, swiped through the screen, and found Cynthia's contact.
Cynthia and Professor Juniper were both still in Unova, and Theo intended to ask for Professor Juniper's opinion on Larvesta's current condition.
(End of Chapter)